NATCHITOCHES, La _ The Northwestern State Demons had a combined 27 hits Saturday to sweep a doubleheader from the University of Central Arkansas, winning 10-3 and 12-6 at Brown-Stroud Field.

The Demons (21-22, 13-12) had 14 hits in the opener and turned a 2-0 first-inning lead into their second consecutive win over the Bears (18-26, 9-18). UCA had only seven hits, none for extra bases, and left eight runners on base.

UCA senior starter Jeremy Cloud (4-5) lasted 6.1 innings, allowing 12 hits and 7 earned runs. NSU starter Jimmy Heard (6-3)  struck out 9 over six innings and allowed 2 earned runs for the victory.

In the nightcap, the Bears grabbed a 3-1 lead on senior Dillon Smith’s three-run home run in the top of the third inning. But the Demons put up 10 runs in the bottom of the frame to pull away for good. Neither starting pitcher made it out of the third inning, with UCA’s Logan Ariola allowing 8 earned runs in 2.1 innings and NSU's Ben Rodriguez allowing 3 in 2.1 innings.

NSU out-hit UCA 13-10, with Smith’s home run and Richey Irvin’s double the only extra-base hits for the Bears. Irvin, a senior from Conway, finished 3 for 5, while freshman Jordan Getchell and junior Beau Geren had two hits each. Geren had his 17-game hitting streak stopped in the first game, going 0 for 4.

Garret Vaughn had three RBI for the Demons in the opener and Justin O’Neal had three in the nightcap. Ariola (1-3) took the loss while Clayton Cooper (1-4) got the victory.

UCA takes a week off for final exams before hosting Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. Friday at Bear Stadium.